Walter Roland Hunter

1929 - August 1, 2012

Walter Roland Hunter was born Dec. 2, 1929, in Rifle, the son of Walter C. and Arleta (Lyon-Smith) Hunter. He was raised in Oak Creek and attended school in Yampa.Walter joined the U.S. Marines on Aug. 6, 1948, and served until 1952.During his time in Korea, he was wounded twice and was awarded two Purple Hearts along with various other commendations.Walter married Elizabeth J. Meach on Feb. 27, 1951, in Steamboat Springs.Following his discharge from the service, they lived in various places, including Tabernash, Oak Creek, Clearfield, Utah, Arvada and Lincoln, Ark., before returning to Craig in 2000. Walter worked as a miner in the coal mines. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, raising chickens and Arabian horses. He loved fast cars and had a collection of mustangs. He also enjoyed racing at the Hayden Speedway.Walter died Aug. 1, 2012, at Sandrock Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Craig. He was 82.He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Hunter, of Craig; daughters Beverly Renee (Mike) Martindale, of Oak Creek, Kathy (Lee) Brewer, of Lincoln, Ark., and Cindy Hunter and husband Vince Goetz, of Mosier, Ore.; son Randy Hunter, of Craig; grandchildren Thomas Michael (Marcia) Martindale, Anthony Walter (Melissa) Martindale, Jeremy Bryan Durkee, Michael Calvin (Kate) Martindale II, Shane Brewer, and William Andrew Hunter; great-grandchildren Peyton, Colton, Lane, Mackenzie, Marissa and Alyssa Martindale; brothers Thomas (Jackie) Hunter, of Cheyenne, Wyo., and James (Cecile) Hunter, of Livermore; and foster brother Larry Hunter, of Cheyenne, Wyo.He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Nettie Mihalich; brother Donald; granddaughter Patricia Lynn Martindale; daughter-in-law Sherry Hunter; and stepmother Willa Hunter.Cremation has taken place and memorial services were Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, at the South Routt Bible Church with Phil Coleman officiating. Interment followed in the Oak Creek Cemetery with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4265 and American Legion Post 62.Memorial donations may be made to Sandrock Ridge Care Center, in care of Grant Mortuary.